Vikings' Jamarca Sanford's bid to start hampered by injury

Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford walks to practice on the first day of training camp in Mankato on Friday, July 25, 2014. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jamarca Sanford was hoping to make more progress in his bid to again be a Vikings starter. But the oft-injured strong safety didn't make it out of the first half Saturday night.

Sanford suffered a quad injury. He didn't play in the second half of the Vikings' 30-12 preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It's hard to evaluate when you're sitting on the sideline,'' said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

Sanford was Minnesota's primary starter at strong safety the past three years under Leslie Frazier, who was fired after last season. But he missed spring drills because of a groin strain and the first preseason game with a back problem.

Sanford was solid in the second preseason game, but he couldn't build on it Saturday.

The starting job remains wide open. Chris Crocker got the start and didn't play a lot. Robert Blanton, who is No. 1 on the depth chart, saw his first preseason action after having a hamstring strain. Also in the mix are Kurt Coleman and Andrew Sendejo.

"I don't know,'' Zimmer said of the logjam. "I'll have to look at the tape (Sunday).''

Another injury suffered by the Vikings was Phil Loadholt being knocked out in the first half with a leg problem. He returned in the second half, but Zimmer said he will have an MRI. It's not expected the injury is serious.

In addition to Blanton, also making his preseason debut was cornerback Josh Robinson, who had a hamstring strain. Zimmer said he wanted to limit Robinson to about 10 plays.

Advertisement

"I talked to him before the game,'' Zimmer said. "I actually planned on letting him warm up and then sitting him and not playing him in the game. But then I went up to him and asked him how he felt and he said he felt good.''

However, one thing that wasn't good for Robinson was getting a 42-yard pass interference penalty in the first half.